Until the beginning of the 17th century, the sea came to within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the town and there were severe floods recorded in the 13th and 16th centuries. The land drainage programmes that followed moved the coastline of the Wash to 9 miles (14 km) away, leaving Holbeach surrounded by more than 23,000 acres (93 km2) of reclaimedfertile agricultural land.[citation needed] In 1615, nominees of the Earl of Argyll were entitled to land which was reclaimed from the sea in Wigtoft, Moulton, Whaplode, Holbeach and Tydd St Mary. The Earl paid for the work, but differences of opinion stalled the project after 1634.[6] Further enclosure of marshes were recorded in 1660, in Gedney, Whaplode, Holbeach and Moulton.[7] The work included the building of an embankment, and resulted in 9,798 acres (39.65 km2) being added to Holbeach parish. A second embankment was built under the provisions of the South Holland Embankment Act (1793), and added another 2,059 acres (8.33 km2). Following unsuccessful attempts in the 1830s, the rest of Holbeach Marsh was enclosed in 1840. The project was directed by Mr Millington, and the total area added to the parish by all these enclosures was 12,390 acres (50.1 km2).[8]

The 19th century also saw the building of several small churches, including a Wesleyan chapel, built on Chapel Street in 1808,[10] and a Baptist chapel, which was built on Albert Street in 1845 using red brick and colourwashed render.[11]

The name "Holbeach" also applies to the civil parish of Holbeach. The parish is one of the largest by area in England, and extends from Cambridgeshire to the Wash, measuring 16 miles (26 km) north to south, and about 4 miles (6.4 km) east to west. The total population of the parish is almost 24,000 with approximately 5,000 in Holbeach town. The town has the most inhabitants and services compared to the villages surrounding it which incorporate its name.

The drainage of land around Holbeach is now the responsibility of the South Holland Internal Drainage Board,[13] part of the Water Management Alliance, formerly known as the King’s Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards.

Much of the economy has been based on food processing and bulb growing. The United Kingdom's largest supplier of tulip and daffodil bulbs is situated to the north of the town and flour milling continues at Barrington Mill.[14]

Local public houses are the Horse & Groom, the Mansion House and Chequers Hotel on High Street, the Crown Hotel on West Street and the String of Horses on Boston Road South. The Station Inn, Red Lion, the Exchange and the Black Bull on Fleet Street have closed.

Speedway racing took place at nearby Bell End at Whaplode St Catherine.[17] Details of the events are sketchy and some reports suggest the venue had grass-surfaced straights and dirt-surfaced bends. The venue is known to have operated in the immediate post-war era but closed in 1948.